Lottery scratch ticket container

ABSTRACT

The lottery scratch ticket container provides a surface on which to scratch lottery tickets and a receiver for holding the shavings from the scratched tickets. The lottery scratch ticket container is also able to hold a variety of lottery tickets within the container. The lottery scratch ticket container is a hinged container, connecting a lid portion to a container base portion. The lid portion allows a user to wipe scratchings through apertures defined between a base surface of the lid portion and the sidewalls of the lid portion and into gutters within the container base portion. Also, the container base portion includes several ticket holders to hold lottery tickets of varying sizes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/689,077, filed Jun. 10, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers, and particularly to a lottery scratch ticket container for holding a lottery scratch ticket.

2. Description of the Related Art

After an individual buys a lottery scratch-off ticket, it is necessary for the individual to scratch the surface of the ticket, thereby revealing whether the individual has purchased a winning ticket or not. The problem faced by the lottery player is that to effectively scratch the surface of a scratch ticket, the ticket must be placed on a flat surface. The layer of film on the surface of the ticket is then scratched off by the individual, generally using a coin or other scratch-off device. The residual scratchings, i.e., the shards or fragments made as a result of scratching the lottery ticket, are left scattered over the surface on which the ticket was placed.

The individual is then left with the residual scratchings, which are difficult to clean from the surface upon which the ticket was placed, and the scratchings are typically simply scattered by the user into the environment. It is often difficult for the lottery player to find an available hard, flat surface and a coin, or other scratching device, when the individual wants to scratch off the ticket. Some lottery ticket devices provide a surface on which to scratch the ticket and an implement to use to scratch the film off the ticket, but often lack a place in which to easily clean off the residual scratchings.

In addition, those who often buy and play lottery scratch-off tickets may not always be able to immediately redeem the tickets and may be left with numerous scratched tickets. These tickets often are lost because there is no particular place to store them, and the lottery player ends up missing out on redeemable winnings. There are some lottery ticket containers available that provide a space in which to store the lottery tickets. However, these containers may not distinguish between larger and smaller tickets, which results in decreased organization. Further, these containers do not incorporate a scratch-off surface, a scratching implement and a place in which to store residual scratchings.

Accordingly, there is a need for a lottery scratch ticket container that is able to store lottery tickets of varying sizes, that provides a surface on which to scratch the ticket, and that allows an individual to easily and effectively clean the film scratchings left over after the ticket is scratched.

Further, typical surfaces utilized for the scratching of lottery tickets do not offer any sort of receptacle or holder for receiving the coin or other scratching implement, thus requiring the user to carry the implement separately. It would be desirable to provide a lottery scratch ticket container that includes a coin holder. Further such surfaces, and containers for cards, such as lottery tickets, are typically not well adapted for transport or display purposes. It would be desirable to provide such a system that may be easily suspended within a vehicle, on a display rack or on a hanger.

Thus a lottery scratch ticket container solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The lottery scratch ticket container provides a surface upon which to scratch lottery tickets and hold the scratchings, or shavings, from the scratched tickets. The lottery scratch ticket container is also able to hold a variety of lottery tickets within the container, including daily tickets, lotto tickets and betting slips, as well as scratch tickets. The lottery scratch ticket container is a hinged container, connecting a lid portion to a container base portion.

The lid portion has a top portion, a bottom end wall, and opposing sidewalls that connect the top portion and the bottom end wall. The lid portion also includes a base surface onto which a lottery ticket may be placed and the top coating scratched off. The base surface is attached to the top portion and the bottom end wall and is recessed between the top portion, bottom end wall and opposing sidewalls. The bottom end wall and opposing sidewalls each have a raised, rounded overhang that extends over the base surface, upon which the user may rest the user's hand or wrist while scratching off the lottery tickets. Apertures are formed between the base surface and the overhang of the opposing sidewalls. Apertures along the bottom end wall are also formed between the base surface and the overhang of the bottom end wall where the bottom end wall is not attached to the base surface.

The container base portion includes a top portion, a bottom end wall and a pair of opposing sidewalls that connect the top portion and the bottom end wall. The top portion, the bottom end wall and the opposing sidewalls of the container base portion define a recess therein in which tickets may be placed. A large ticket holder and a small ticket holder may both be situated within the recess. The bottom end wall and the opposing sidewalls each have a gutter defined therein.

A user is able to clear residual scratchings made from rubbing the top layer of film off of the lottery ticket into the apertures defined between the overhangs and the base surface of the lid portion. The scratchings are wiped through the apertures and fall into the gutters, which are designed to receive the scratchings.

The lottery scratch ticket container includes a coin holder affixed to the lid portion and a tab affixed to the container base portion for suspending the container within a car or on a hanger.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lottery scratch ticket container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lottery scratch ticket container according to the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lottery scratch ticket container according to the present invention in an open position with scratchings.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the lottery scratch ticket container according to the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the lottery scratch ticket container according to the present invention in an open position.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a lottery scratch ticket container that provides a surface on which to scratch lottery tickets and hold the shavings from the scratched tickets. The lottery scratch ticket container, designated generally as 10 in the drawings, is also able to hold a variety of lottery tickets within the container.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the lottery scratch ticket container 10 has a lid portion 12 and a container base portion 14. The lid portion 12 and the base portion 14 are pivotally joined together so that the lid portion 12 may be selectively opened or closed, depending upon the needs of the user. In the closed configuration, the lid portion 12 and the base portion 14 define an interior space in which lottery tickets may be stored.

The lid portion 12 includes a base surface 20 onto which a lottery ticket 100 may be placed and the top coating thereof scratched off. The lid portion 12 also has a top portion 22, a bottom end wall 24, and opposing sidewalls 26 defining a generally rectangular frame (although the top portion 22 may be arched, as shown in the drawings). The sidewalls 26 connect the top portion 22 and the bottom end wall 24. The base surface 20 is attached to the top portion 22 and the bottom end wall 24. The base surface 20 may be affixed to the entire length of the top portion 22, to the bottom end wall 24 only, or may only be affixed at various attachment points along the top portion 22 or bottom end wall 24, thereby allowing for a plurality of apertures to be defined between the attachment points and the opposing sidewalls 26.

The base surface 20 is recessed between the top portion 22 and bottom end wall 24 and the opposing sidewalls 26. The bottom end wall 24 and opposing sidewalls 26 each have a raised, rounded overhang or lip 28 that extends above the base surface 20. An aperture 29 extending along the length of each of the opposing sidewalls 26 is formed between the base surface 20 and the overhang 28 of the opposing sidewalls 26. The apertures along the bottom end wall 24 are also formed between the base surface 20 and the overhang 28 of the bottom end wall 24 where the bottom end wall is not attached to the base surface.

While the base surface 20 is attached to the top portion 22 and the bottom end wall 24, the base surface 20 may optionally also be attached at various attachment points along the opposing sidewalls 26. If attached to the opposing sidewalls 26 at these attachment points, a plurality of apertures will be defined between the attachment points and the top portion 22 and bottom end walls 24. A user is then able to clear residual scratchings 104 (seen more clearly in FIG. 3) made from rubbing the top layer of film off of the lottery ticket into the apertures 29 defined between the overhang 28 of the bottom end wall 24 or the opposing sidewalls 26 and the base surface 20. The scratchings 104 are wiped through the apertures 29 and into gutters (seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, and described in further detail below) in the container base portion 14.

The top portion 22 of the lid portion 12 preferably includes a platform 30 to which the base surface 20 is attached. The platform 30 has a coin holder 32 attached thereto that is able to hold a coin 34 or any other suitable disc for scratching off the surface of the scratch lottery ticket 100. The coin holder 32 generally comprises and arcuate or substantially semicircular wall with an inwardly extending top flange defining a slot adapted for receiving an edge of the coin. Preferably, a frictional element 114 is mounted to surface 30 within the arc of coin holder 32. Frictional element 114 frictionally engages coin 34 to releasably secure coin 34 within holder 32. Further, a recess 116 may be formed in platform 30 positioned substantially adjacent the open end of coin holder 32, allowing the user to grasp coin 34 for removal from holder 32.

A locking tab 118 may be mounted to the lower edge of lid portion 12 for releasable locking engagement with a recess 120 (shown in FIG. 3), allowing the user to selectively lock lid portion 12 to container base portion 14. It should be understood that any suitable releasable fastener may be utilized for releasably securing lid portion 12 to base portion 14.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a top view of the lottery ticket scratch container 10 is shown with the container 10 in the open configuration. The lid portion 12 is attached to the container base portion 14 by a hinge 36. The container base portion 14 includes a base surface and a generally rectangular frame normal to the base surface defined by a top portion 40, a bottom end wall 42 and a pair of opposing sidewalls 44 that connect the top portion 40 and the bottom end wall 42 of the container base portion 14. The top portion 40, the bottom end wall 42 and the opposing sidewalls 44 of the container base portion 14 define a recess 46 therein. The bottom end wall 42 and the opposing sidewalls 44 each have a gutter 48 defined therein. The gutters 48 of the sidewalls 44 extend from the top portion 40 of the base portion 14 to the bottom end wall 42. The gutter 48 of the bottom end wall 42 extends from one of the opposing sidewalls 44 to the other opposing sidewall 44. While the bottom end wall 42 is shown having a gutter 48 defined therein and the top portion 40 is not shown having a gutter defined therein, the bottom end wall 42 may optionally omit the gutter 48 and the top portion 40 may optionally include a gutter defined therein. The gutters 48 are designed to receive the residual scratchings that are wiped through the apertures 29 defined between the base surface 20 and the overhangs 28 of the bottom end wall 24 and the opposing sidewalls 26 of the lid portion 12.

Mounted within the recess 46 are a first ticket holder 50, which is able to hold smaller lottery tickets 100, and a second ticket holder 52, which is able to hold larger lottery tickets 102. Also, a break-off tab 60 is affixed to the top portion 40 of the container base portion 14 to hang the lottery scratch ticket container 10 onto a hook or the like.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the lottery scratch ticket container 10 is shown open and with scratchings 104 within the container 10. Once the ticket 100 is scratched, the scratchings 104 left on the base surface 20 of the lid portion 12 are wiped through the apertures 29 defined between the base surface 20 and the overhangs 28. The scratchings 104 fall into the gutters 48 defined along the opposing sidewalls 44 and bottom end wall 42 of the container base portion 14. Once the user has finished scratching off the ticket 100 and wiping the residual scratchings 104 into the gutters 48, the lid portion 12 may be opened away from the base portion 14 and the scratchings 104 may be shaken out of the container 10.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4, the lower corners of container 10 are shown as having more of an arcuate contour than that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, lid portion 12 is joined to base portion 14 by a piano hinge 122 or door hinge, rather than the continuous living hinge shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It should be understood that lid portion 12 is preferably pivotally joined to base portion 14 by any suitable hinge or pivotal fastener, although discrete lid portions 12 that are removably attached to base portions 14 are also within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the tab 60 (of FIG. 2) has been removed and replaced with a slot 112 formed through the rear wall of base portion 14, as shown. Slot 112 may receive a removable tab, a hook, or any other support member, in a manner similar to that described above with respect to tab 60. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the second ticket holder 52 has been removed and the first ticket holder 50 has been positioned so that its lower edge is adjacent the inner face of gutter 48. It should be understood that the ticket holder 50 may be positioned in any suitable location within recess 46.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 110 are mounted on the rear face of lid portion 12 so that, when in the closed position, ribs 110 will be positioned above, and extend across, gutters 48. Reinforcing ribs 110 provide for enhanced structural stability, particularly during the application of pressure while scratching the lottery ticket. Further, as shown, a side edge of the first ticket holder 50 is pivotally joined to an inner face 49 of one of gutters 48 by a hinge 124. It should be understood that any suitable hinge may be utilized. The opposite side edge of first ticket holder 50 is releasably supported on stopper member 126, mounted within recess 46, as shown.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A lottery scratch ticket container, comprising: a lid portion having a base surface and a frame normal to the base surface, the frame having a top portion, a bottom end wall and opposing sidewalls connecting the top portion and the bottom end wall, the base surface being attached to at least the top portion and the bottom end wall, the base surface being recessed between the top and bottom portions and the sidewalls; and a container base portion having a base surface and a frame normal to the base surface, the frame having a top portion, a bottom end wall and opposing sidewalls, the top portion, bottom end wall and opposing sidewalls of the base portion defining a recess therein, at least one of the opposing sidewalls of the base portion having a gutter defined therein extending from the top portion to the bottom end wall of the container base portion.
 2. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom end wall and opposing sidewalls of the lid portion each have an overhang portion disposed above the base surface of the lid portion.
 3. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid portion frame and said container base portion frame each have a substantially rectangular contour.
 4. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably storing a scratching device.
 5. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 4, wherein said storing means comprises a coin holder mounted on said lid portion, the coin holder having an arcuate wall and a top flange extending inward from the arcuate wall to define a slot adapted for frictionally receiving a coin.
 6. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 5, further comprising a frictional element mounted on said lid portion within the arc defined by said coin holder for frictionally engaging the coin.
 7. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 5, wherein a recess is formed in said lid portion adjacent said coin holder, the recess being adapted for inserting a fingertip below the coin for ease in removing the coin from said coin holder.
 8. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for releasably locking said lid portion to said container base portion.
 9. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one aperture is formed through said lid portion, whereby scratchings from a lottery ticket scratched on the recessed base surface of said lid portion fall through the at least one aperture into the gutter defined in said container base portion when the container is in a closed configuration.
 10. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a support tab mounted on said container base portion, the support tab having an opening formed therethrough adapted for hanging the container from a hook.
 11. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, wherein a support slot is formed through the base surface of said container base portion, the support slot being adapted for receiving an external support member.
 12. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first pocket formed within the container base portion recess, the first pocket being adapted for releasably receiving a first lottery scratch ticket.
 13. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 12, further comprising a second pocket formed within the container base portion recess, the second pocket being positioned beneath the first pocket and adapted for releasably receiving a second lottery ticket, the first and second pockets having different sizes dimensioned and configured for storing lottery tickets of different sizes.
 14. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 12, wherein said first pocket is pivotally mounted within said container base portion.
 15. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 14, further comprising a support member mounted to said container base portion within said recess beneath the first pocket for supporting the first pocket above the base surface of said container base portion.
 16. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid portion is pivotally attached to said container base portion.
 17. The lottery scratch ticket container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support ribs mounted to a lower surface of the base surface of said lid portion, the support ribs being positioned above the gutter when the container is in a closed configuration. 